Offshore medic

rig medic
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Healthcare
Care

Career outlook for offshore medic

Average UK salary

£29,120

Currently employed in Scotland

3,700

"LMI for All" supplies our salary and employment status information. "Oxford Economics" supplies job forecasts and employment figures. Due to COVID-19 the jobs market is constantly changing. Some of the information may not reflect the current situation.

What's it like?

You would treat people working on an offshore oil or gas rig for any injuries or illnesses. 

You’d provide medical care for anyone on the rig or platform who has an accident and make sure that people are fit and safe to work. The health, safety and welfare of all those working on the rig would be your responsibility. You would also carry out administrative tasks.

You would:

  • Provide 24-hour medical care for the crew
  • Carry out routine health checks
  • Treat illnesses and minor wounds
  • Keep accurate medical records
  • Train other people on the rig in first aid
  • Order new supplies of medicines and equipment
  • Carry out health promotion activities 
  • Advise on health and safety issues
  • Arrange for very ill people to be taken back to land for treatment

You would need to advise the senior managers if you thought a person was not fit for work or might affect other people’s safety.

If someone had an injury or illness that you were not sure how to treat, you would phone the onshore company doctor for advice.

Working conditions

Hours

You would typically live and work on a rig or platform for two or three weeks, followed by two or three weeks’ rest period on shore. You would work shifts, but as the only medical professional you would be on 24-hour call for emergencies.

Environment

You would work from an office or sick bay on a fixed production platform with up to 100 workers, or on a smaller mobile rig in a team of around 20 people. Facilities would include sleeping areas, canteens and recreation areas. There are bans on alcohol and smoking. The job can be physically demanding, working in all weathers.

Travel

You would typically live and work on a rig or platform for two or three weeks, followed by two or three weeks’ rest period on shore.

UK employment status

Full-time

79%

Part-time

21%

Self employed

0%

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  • Listening
  • Verbal communication
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  • Taking responsibility

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Getting in

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Qualifications

You must complete an HSE Approved Medical Training Course. Depending on the course you may complete a variety of First Aid and Advanced Life Support (ALS) certificates. The course must include HSE Approved Offshore Medic certificates to allow you to work offshore in the UK.

To be accepted onto an HSE Approved Medical Training Course you will need to be either:

  • An experienced nurse registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)
  • An experienced paramedic registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

If you have other relevant medical and nursing qualifications, and extensive experience, you may also be considered. 

If you are applying as an experienced Army Combat Medical Technician, Royal Air Force Medic, Royal Navy Medic or Leading Medical Assistants you may be asked to provide competency log books.

At the end of three years, offshore medics need to complete an offshore medic requalification course to continue working as medics in the offshore environment.

Useful subjects

  • English (required by many courses)
  • Maths (required by many courses)
  • Science subjects, in particular biology or human biology (required by many courses) 
  • Care
  • Social studies subjects such as psychology

You will also need

  • To complete Basic offshore induction and emergency training (BOSIET)
  • To be approved for membership of the Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme run by Disclosure Scotland

You need to be 18 years of age or older to work offshore.

You will also need a valid Oil and Gas UK (OGUK) Offshore Medical Certificate. This involves passing a medical examination which classifies you as medically fit to work in the offshore environment.

You must also provide evidence that you do not have, and have been immunised against, Hepatitis B.

Helpful to have

Qualifications and experience dealing with emergency situations and demonstrating advanced life support skills.